Comcast SportsNet's Chick Hernandez will join "Voice of the Terps" Johnny Holliday and Maryland announcers Chris Knoche and Tim Strachan live from courtside as the Terrapin men's and women's basketball teams officially open the 2004-05 season.

The program, titled "Maryland Madness Live!" will cover much of the action associated with what has become an annual tradition on the College Park campus. Nationally, Midnight Madness originally began as Lefty's Midnight Run in 1970, when longtime Terrapin Coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell held a mile workout for his team at the NCAA-mandated first possible allowable practice time.

This year's Terrapin version of the nationwide celebration includes the annual men's basketball alumni game, contests and giveaways, performances by the Maryland competitive cheer team, dance team, spirit squad and Gymkana.

The first-ever Gary Williams Look-Alike contest will be one of the first items on Comcast SportsNet's broadcast agenda, followed by the men's and women's team introductions and scrimmages. Fans who cannot make it to Midnight Madness can get their first glimpse of the 2004-05 Terps by tuning in on Friday night, and hear comments from coaches Gary Williams and Brenda Frese, who will be "miked up" during the scrimmages.